The turquoise waters of Bradenton Beach make for an ideal Florida beach vacation, but did you know that there are several great beaches to explore near Bradenton Beach? The popular Southwest Florida area of Bradenton and Sarasota is home to miles of inviting coastline, with many of the beaches near Bradenton Beach.  Here are the 10 best beaches in the Bradenton Beach area. 1. Bradenton Beach Of course, we have to list Bradenton Beach! This calm, family-friendly location has an “Old Florida” feel as its lower-rise homes, vacation rentals, and apartments along with several stores and restaurants. If you stay in Bradenton Beach, you are literally just steps away from some of the best beach experiences in Florida. 2. Coquina Beach A short walk or drive away from Bradenton Beach is Coquina Beach. This is a larger beach area compared with Bradenton Beach and has ample parking and more crowds.  Coquina Beach has a refreshment stand and playground. You can also enjoy the Beach Market at Coquina Beach, an outdoors market held most months of the year. 3. Anna Maria Island For another Old Florida feel, you’re only a free trolley ride away from Anna Maria Island, home to two iconic piers and some charming shopping and restaurants. There are several public access beach areas on Anna Maria Island.  4. Holmes Beach Located on Anna Maria Island, Holmes Beach is where you’ll find a large public beach area with a restaurant (try pancakes with a beach view!), retail shop, public... Read More

/*! elementor – v3.6.7 – 03-07-2022 */ .elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#818a91;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#818a91;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block} Looking for a low-key vacation with an ‘Old Florida’ vibe? Skip the high-rise hotels and congested beaches. Unwind and get away from it all on Captiva Island, Florida.  This quaint island is a quick drive from Fort Myers. It’s a beloved vacation spot for visitors looking to ditch the winter blues for beach hues.  Here’s our list of the top 10 things to do on Captiva Island:  1. The Beach It might be obvious but you can’t visit this tropical island and not hit the beach. One reason Captiva’s beaches are so special is the sand. It’s powder-soft and fluffy as a cloud. Grab that beach read you’ve been saving and stick your toes in the sand. Emerald-colored sea oats and sparkling, aquamarine waters make this idyllic island the epitome of relaxation.  When you finish reading, grab a bucket and go shelling. There’s a reason Captiva (and Sanibel) are consistently ranked as top shelling beaches in the United States. You’ll find more than 250 types of shells along the island’s shore.  2. Lunch at The Green Flash  Captiva’s beaches are a big draw but the bayside of the island is just as spectacular. For panoramic views of the bay, grab lunch at The Green Flash. Feast on fish tacos while enjoying views of Pine Island Sound as birds and boats skim by.  Why do we insist you head here for lunch, and not dinner? Because... Read More